Loop backpack from Black Sands Beach to Big Flat, up Rattlesnake Ridge, down Buck Creek Trail. Truly awesome hike. Wet mid winter conditions amplified the feeling of wilderness and ensured, as far as I could tell, that I was the only one enjoying this gem of an area this weekend. The coast was in perfect form, with big surf and the huge ridges shrouded in constantly churning misty clouds, with the drizzle in the air creating a perfect progressive fading effect on the more distant ridges. The creeks were also flowing with impressive strength given all of the recent rain, and the crossings of Big Creek were sporting. Some rather minimally maintained stretches of trail also added to the fun. Only downside to the weather was a total lack of views from on and near the crest, was hoping for a break somewhere but didn't get it. Guess I'll just have to go back again, shoot.

Summited on a backpacking trip after hiking down to Big Flat via the Lost Coast trail. Classic climb up the rattlesnake trail to the King's Crest Trail and over, way more rewarding to hike all the way in and up from sea level than the walk-up from lightning trail.

While studying at SFSU, a friend and I hiked The Lost Coast on Spring break. This was at a time when Georgia Pacific and others were still logging the hell out of the area. We hiked in the rain and fog on the trail to Kings Peak where we spent the night. Morning fog burned off revealing incredible views. We hiked with heavy packs down to Big Flat and the black sand beaches. An amazing area.

I've climbed this hill several times. On a clear day you can see Mt. Shasta and Shastina from King's Peak, over 250 miles away.

If the weather is good the summit platform holds a shelter from the elements, a nice place to spend the night. Easy to lose the trail in the dark descending, I usually just lie down and sleep for the night wherever darkness finds me.

Great hike on a sunny weekend. Light haze over the ocean but beautiful views in all directions. Fun 11 mile RT hike from Saddle Mountain trailhead. Would recommend this TH over Lightning if you want a longer hike and more varied views along the way.

while wrapping up at Humboldt State my girlfriend and I took advantage of being in the neighborhood and made the journey to King's Pk. Had a beautiful spring hike to the summit. Spectacular views of the Lost Coast down below. A couple years later I fought a wildland fire on the east flank of the mountain, which brought back the memories.

Lightning trail. Arrived at the summit 5 minutes after sunset, still great views. Nearly ran out of gas on the way back - note: the road from Ettersburg is in far better shape than the road from Shelter cove (at least in 5/2008).

I couldn't resist the side trip up to King's Peak on my way home from backpacking the Lost Coast trail with my buddy Morgan and Yellow Lab Dylan. The Lightening trail was a pleasure to jog up and down after lugging a backpack around on sand and uneven ground 25 miles over a few days. A scenic shaded trail through the forest with nice views from the top. The drive in and out took longer than the hike.

4-day group backpack trip from Saddle Mountain trailhead to the peak, then down to beach at Big Flat, along beach to Shipman Creek, finally back via Buck Creek. Heavy rain the last day and a half, but fantastic scenery. Great to encounter the different ecosystems from the peak down to the beach and back again.

Started late, summitted in the dark, lost the trail on the way down and found the trailhead with a compass and headlamp.

Next morning, went up again for the view, ran headlong into a bear and cussed the bastard out until he ran down the mountain. Whoever said bears can't move fast down a hill is full of shit. Absolutely beautiful and warm at the end of an unusually long dry spell. Fell asleep for an hour on the little wooden platform on the summit.

I camped on the beach the first night, and then headed up the Buck Creek Trail to King's peak. It rained most of the time. The top was very rainy and windy. Since it was about sundown, I attempted to camp under the shelter near the summit. This resulted in my tent getting water in it, and thus soaking my sleeping bag. After this development, I decided to hike through the cold, rainy, and very windy night down the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail through what remained of a burnt forest. Daylight came about as I got to Big Flat. Had fun dodging the waves on the way back towards Shelter Cove. A few times I wasn't successful, but by that point I didn't really care, since everything I had was soaked through already. This looks like it is probably a beautiful place when it is not raining and windy. It would have also been a lot more pleasant if I was able to camp a second and third night. I hope to go back. I saw a total of about 3 or 4 minutes of sunlight the whole time, and it was while I was putting my gear back in my truck.

Started out Sunday morning from Big Flat @ 10.32. After a few stream crossings, seemingly endless switchbacks, much unnecessary elevation loss (and obligatory regain), and missing the trail once, I finally attained the summit @ 15.16. I passed a couple en route, as well as 2 people from Oakland/Berkeley (one of which I'd recognized from the climbing gym!). While it was foggy most of the way (which I'd say should be anticipated for this part of the coastline), it did clear up sufficiently to allow ocean views, views of the mountains to the E, and even Shelter Cove briefly- beautiful! Hanging out at the summit, taking it all in, and just chilling (actually more like warming from the sun, and drying out wet boots, socks, and sweat-soaked T-shirt), I departed the summit @ 16.23, stumbling back to the Rattlesnake RIdge TH @ 20.28.

This is a beautiful and remote hike. I only saw 5 people the entire (weekend) trip and walked along miles of pristine coastline. Started in the evening and had dinner on the summit. Unfortunately I lost my way (well the trail just disappeared / stopped) descending the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail at 10:30pm the first night, however, using my headlamp, compass, altimeter, and topo map I was able to bushwack until I intersected the trail again. This is one of my favorite class 1 hiking trips of all time (along with Havasu Canyon - but there's actually a short rope-assisted class 3 section on that hike) - highly recommended. A longer trip report is available here.